Snakes & Otters Podcast

Francis takes the conn with this history episode as the guys examine the interwar period and the rise of fanatical ultranationalist movements. 

Martin takes the big chair this week and the guys run through Mack Bolan, Frank Castle, Bruce Wayne, Paul Kersey and other iconic media vigilantes. Of course we have to figure out how bloodthirsty maniacs out for revenge became cultural icons. 

"Now he belongs to the ages." Not sure what else we can put in the description. Francis runs the convention here and we talk all things Abe.

Robert is captaining the flatboat this week and the guys do Lincoln quotes to delve into the man's influence and character.

Francis has the Kapitanskoye kreslo (Captain's chair for those who don't savvy the Russian lingo) and thirty years after the event talks the guys through the story of the 1991 Russian Coup attempt. The guys delve deep into how three days in August that year led to the subsequent collapse of the Soviet Union and sent Soviet Communism to the ash heap of history. Martin has been anxiously awaiting th...

Robert is the pit master this episode and the guys talk the joys of smoked meats, great sides and road trips. 

Robert takes the conn for an exploration of his favorite type of fiction, the 'what if?' story. We examine it from all sort of perspectives, and have a few laughs along the way too. 

Francis has the conn and the guys talk life and work of Ernest Hemingway. The craft. the craft. 

Francis captains and we talk his favorite Man's Man, Ernest Hemingway and his words of wisdom.

Robert is in command and the guys talk about the 20 July Plot to kill Adolf Hitler only weeks after the Normandy Invasion. 

DJ Robert is spinning tunes this episode as the guys talk favorite bands, first concerts, first records bought with own money and all kinds of things rock music. 

Martin has the captain's chair and the guys talk Ike, soldier and president. A worthy hero. Martin recommends bios of Eisenhower by both Stephen Ambrose and Jean Edward Smith. Martin also introduces Wilson the Wonder Doodle.

Francis has the conn and Mark Twain makes a double appearance. Martin says this one quickly became a favorite Code of Honor.

Martin drives the LST to the beach in this episode discussing the Battle of Normandy, Operation Overlord. The guys give the lowdown, and talk books by Cornelius Ryan, Stephen Ambrose, Douglas Brinkley and John Keegan.

Martin has the wheel and drives the fellas at high speed through a discussion of car chase movies and what they mean. Yes, the guys give ontological weight to a movie about a hillbilly driving a Trans Am halfway across the country to steal beer. Because of course we do. 10-4 good buddy, I'm 10-10 on the side.  

Francis has command and the guys talk military historian John Keegan. Pick up his stuff, readily accessible on major online booksellers and often at discount retail. Revolutionary historian.

Martin takes charge and the guys talk some words of wisdom for May 2021.

Martin has the conn this time Otterites and wants the guys to talk some history of the original Woodstock concert and what it all meant. Time to dis the boomers again. 

Robert captains a discussion of the Kentucky Derby, the Fastest Two Minutes in Sports, from the perspective of some locals who have lived it. 

Celebrate 100 episodes of Snakes & Otters goodness with Martin, Robert and Francis. The guys reminisce and ponder the future. 

Francis has the captain's, er, general's chair this week and we talk about another one of those military men we admire but who didn't always fit in the box. You've seen the movie, but we hope you learn something about who Patton really was. Francis recommends Ladislas Farago's Patton: Ordeal and Triumph

Francis takes the helm and the guys bring you great words of wisdom for April 2021.

Martin has the conn and the guys do a history episode on the pivotal WWII Battle of Stalingrad. The guys have all the angles covered here, including the tactics, personalities and strategic implications.

Shatner-paloozza winds up with Francis in the captain's chair as the guys talk the cultural impact of everyone's favorite captain, James Tiberius Kirk. Leadership lessons, favorite moments, and why Kirk reaches us are all on the table. 

Shatner-paloozza continues with a celebration of the man himself as his 90th birthday approaches.